When introducing passive fire protection to a building, there are two systems for sealing penetrations by plastic pipework. The systems include fire collars and fire wraps and are essential products to maintain the safety and integrity of a premises in the event of a fire.

These intumescent products are ideal for masonry or plaster applications helping to stop the spread of fire and smoke where walls and floors have been penetrated by pipe work that is combustible (i.e. plastic piping made from PVCu, HDPE, MDPE, PP, ABS). When placed on steel piping, pipe collars can also achieve a cooling effect.

A UK fire collar and fire wrap supplier will be able to provide the full safety data for these products and ship the items directly to your site. Ideally you should find a supplier whose construction products with fire performance comply with a stringent set standards above the minimum regulatory requirements.

Intumescent fire collars

During construction of a building, services such as plastic waste water pipes or plastic drainage pipes have to penetrate a structure in various locations. This compromises the fire-resistance of the walls and floors and can lead to smoke, fire and hot gases moving from one compartment (or room) to another. Intumescent fire collars are designed to re-instate that resistance.

When exposed to extreme heat from a fire, the intumescent materials within the fire collar expand and exert pressure on the pipe, closing off the opening between two compartments. This process occurs at around 150°C and crushes the melting plastic pipe closing off the penetration through the wall or floor.

Made from galvanised steel, the fire collar should be fitted to both sides of the opening where a risk of fire is present. These pipe collars are available in 2-hour or 4-hour fire-rating resistance and a range of diameters.

Fire wraps

Fire wraps work in the same way as a fire collar but are secured around a plastic pipe by means of a self-adhesive strip. This is attached to a plastic sleeve which contains the intumescent material that expands when exposed to high temperatures. Fire wraps are suitable in areas where access to the pipe is tight and like fire collars they can be used against masonry or plaster.

Available in diameters up to 160mm, these wraps can provide either 2-hours or 4-hours fire-rated resistance.

Murcia golf properties

Location of Los Olivos Resort

Los Olivos residential resort is situated within the main golf resort of Mosa Trajectum in the Murcia region of Spain. Currently the San Javier airport is the closest to the resort and a mere 20 minute journey by hire car or taxi. From 2010, the new Corvera airport will open close to Los Olivos substantially cutting that journey time. The Polaris World resorts of El Valle, Hacienda Riquelme, La Torre and Mar Menor are a short journey from Los Olivos and the beautiful beaches of the Costa Calida and crystal clear waters of the Mar Menor lagoon are within a 15 minute drive.

Los Olivos Facilities

As this exclusive residential resort is within the established Mosa Trajectum Golf Resort, many of the facilities are fully open and operational while others will open in the near future.

At the heart of the resort is the 300 year-old Parador farm building which has been converted to a restaurant, Tapas bar and guest-house. Two more hotels are planned for the resort – a 5 star hotel overlooking the Parador and a 4-star sports hotel which will be adjacent to the sports academy (where you’ll find tennis courts and other sporting facilities).

Next to the Parador is a 19^th century chapel available for wedding ceremonies and worship. The shopping village has recently opened and is spread across nine buildings. Here you’ll find various shops along with restaurants serving Spanish and Italian cuisine. There is also a music venue planned and Billi’s Sports Bar has recently opened offering snacks, drinks and Sky TV.

Los Olivos Golfing

Before we talk about the golf courses available to Los Olivos residents we should mention the conservation of nature and the surrounding environment which has played an important role in implementing three golf courses that are the most ecological in Spain. The courses at Mosa Trajectum use biodegradable foam and slow release fertilisers to avoid contaminating groundwater while also helping to reduce water evaporation by 70%. The lakes around the resort are the first in the world to be free from legionella and both wastewater and rainwater is purified at the on-site plant.

Mosa Trajectum boasts three nine-hole courses with a combined 27-holes offering the possibility of three separate rounds of 18-hole golfing. Each course has been given a different name and each presents a unique challenge to your game. There is also a par-3 practice course and driving range.

The Stone Course – If your game is suited to a technical challenge and plenty of strategy then the Stone Course will provide a real test of those skills. The nine holes here offer a breathtaking landscape created using over 8,000 palm tress and over 20,000 cacti.

The Olive Course – These nine holes characterise a typical Spanish countryside meandering through olive trees and designed in a links style resemble courses found in the UK.

The Pine Course – At the highest point of the resort you’ll find the Pine Course and its stunning views across Mosa Trajectum and the landscape beyond. The fairways and greens are guarded by over 3,000 pine tress and the hidden water hazards will test your course management skills.

Los Olivos Villas

The Los Olivos development at Mosa Trajectum has 27 villas with just 16 currently left for sale. The villas have private communal swimming pools and many have front line views of the golf course. The villas have been built in a typical Spanish style and finished to a high standard.

Recommended properties

	This beautiful three bedroom villa has full air conditioning, central heating, garage, private garden and access to a communal swimming pool. The property also benefits from a piped music system throughout and a video entry system. It is currently discounted by 15% with further discounts available on quick completion.
	This 3-bed, 3-bathroom villa has all the benefits of the property above with the same great discounts. The communal pool for this property is shared with only six other villas.
	Another great three bedroom villa, this property backs on to the golf course and offers the same features as the first two properties. Favourable discounts are also available on quick completion.

Hacienda Riquelme Resales

The Hacienda Riquelme Polaris World golf resort is apartment only which means a low-density of buildings – indeed the first thing you’ll notice is how expansive this resort feels with its stunning gardens and apartments modelled on the existing colonial architectural style. Some of the best Hacienda Riquelme resale properties currently available are listed below:

	This beautiful 2-bedroom apartment is situated on the second-floor and served by a lift to a private underground car-park. It’s ‘L’ shaped terrace is south-east facing and overlooks the golf course, private communal swimming pool and resort lakes.
	With views across the 17th fairway of the golf course, this first floor 2-bedroom apartment is situated within landscaped gardens and offers air-conditioned living spaces with double bedrooms opening out onto a rear terrace.
	Those looking for ground floor living will find this apartment situated at the 13th hole with views across the golf course and pool. 2 bedrooms and air-conditioned living areas plus a private underground parking space make this property an attractive purchase.

Hacienda Riquelme facilities

The golf resort is benefiting from ongoing development providing residents with an ever expanding selection of new facilities. The main focus is around the restoration of the Hacienda building which will eventually be the site of a new clubhouse, shops and restaurants (the building itself will be home to two themed Italian and Mexican restaurants). Once completed the resort will have a 5 star town plaza but in the meantime residents can take advantage of the excellent facilities within the other nearby Polaris World resorts of Mar Menor, La Torre, El Valle and Las Terrazas.

The highlight of the Hacienda Riquelme development is the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. One of the longest courses on the Nicklaus golf trail, Hacienda Riquelme is a good test for golfers with plenty of lakes and olive-tree lined fairways.

There are plenty of discounts to be found on green fees and annual memberships. A year’s annual membership to play on all of the Nicklaus Golf Trail courses (9 in total) costs around 2,500 Euros or you can get a round of golf during the spring summer months on the Hacienda Riquelme course and other Polaris World courses after 3pm (twilight) for about 30 Euros. A shuttle bus service links the Polaris World resorts should you want to leave the car behind.

Hacienda Riquelme currently has a Sports Area under construction which will contain tennis courts, paddle tennis courts and and a floodlit multi-sport area as well as a playground.

Out and about

Outside of the resort you’ll find plenty of activities and places of interest. The Murcia region has some fantastic local markets to visit in the nearby towns and villages of Sucina, Los Alcavares, San Pedro del Pinatar and Torre Pacheco. Each town hosts a market on different days of the week typically between 9:00am and 1:30pm. Sucina is the closest town but all the other locations are within a short 20-30 minute drive from the resort.

For the film-lovers among you, the shopping centre complex at Los Najeros (just north of Los Alcavares and a 25 minute drive away) has a cinema showing English-speaking films as does the cinema at Pilar de la Horadada on alternate weekends (about 30 minutes drive from the golf resort).

If you love the beach and water sports, the Mar Menor coast with its crystal clear water and pretty beaches is just a 20 minute drive away.

Getting to Murcia – Flights and Airports

Murcia is just 75km south of Alicante and both cities have their own airport from which you can travel to Mar Menor. Currently there are 10 airlines flying to both these airports which means plenty of low-cost flights. In 2010, another airport will open in Corvera just 20 minutes outside of Murcia city.

With a flight time from London to Murcia airport at just under 2 hours, and many UK regional airports also providing daily flights to the region, Mar Menor is simple to get to making it a great golf resort for long breaks or a short weekend trip.

If you’re flying into Alicante you’re just a 45 minute drive from the Polaris World Mar Menor resort via the A7, AP7 and A30 motorways. From Murcia airport, which is actually situated near the town of San Javier (45km from the city of Murcia) it’s a mere 10 minute car or taxi journey.

Getting to Mar Menor Golf Resort – Taxi or Car Hire

If your flight lands at Murcia airport then your best options for getting to the Mar Menor Golf Resort are by taxi or hiring a car – public transport does not serve the area well.

A taxi from Murcia airport will cost around €20.00 and take approximately 10 minutes. If you’re landing at Alicante, expect to pay around €70.00 for a 40 minute journey into the Mar Menor Golf Resort.

If your search for a golf property at Mar Menor is over a few days why not take advantage of hiring a car so you can get around and visit some of the fantastic attractions, mountains and beaches the region has to offer. Spanish car hire is relatively cheap and you’ll find a good choice at both Murcia and Alicante airports. Book ahead and then pick up your keys from the terminal rental office on arrival. You can get some great deals using online internet car hire brokers such as Sky Cars or Car Jet.

Once you become a Polaris World Mar Menor Golf Resort resident or owner you’ll be able to take advantage of Polaris World’s own car rental service. You’ll find the service offers some competitive rates and exclusive services such as collection from the airport and your car being delivered to your golf property. Prices for this exclusive service for a small hatchback begin at around €40-50 per day.

Staying at Mar Menor Golf Resort

Given that your golf property search is at Mar Menor it makes sense to try and stay in the heart of the golf resort to soak up the atmosphere, play a round of golf and see for yourself all that this quality resort has to offer. Mar Menor has its own 5-Star hotel with all the facilities you’d expect from a world-class hotel including a pool, gym and a number of bars and restaurants.

A short car journey west of the Mar Menor Golf Resort is the municipal of Torre Pacheco where you’ll find some quality accommodation for your stay in Murcia. A few miles East of the resort is Los Alcazares, a village on the coast of the Mar Menor sea famous for its therapeutic waters. Here you’ll find some great 4-Star hotels ideally placed for water sports and your journey to Mar Menor to check out some golfing properties.

Polaris World Mar Menor Golf Resort Properties

Once you’ve arrived safely in the sunny region of Murcia you can begin your search for the ideal golf property at Mar Menor. The resort boasts a Jack Nicholas designed golf course surrounded by lush green vegetation and palm tree lined pathways which will guide you around this magnificent resort. Created as place for complete luxury, relaxation and a healthy lifestyle for its residents, you won’t be disappointed by the unique atmosphere Mar Menor has to offer.

Here’s a selection of the great Polaris World golf properties currently available at Mar Menor.

	Mar Menor Golf Resort – 2 Bed Villa A beautifully furnished 2 bed villa with 2 bathrooms and a living/dining room area. West facing with air-conditioning, central heating, a glazed terrace area, private swimming pool and solarium.
	Mar Menor Golf Resort – 2 Bed Villa West facing semi-detached 2 bedroom villa with large rear garden that’s well-established with plants and borders. Both floors have their own terrace and the property comes complete with its own Jacuzzi.
	Mar Menor Golf Resort – First Floor Apartment Ready for late 2009, this first floor apartment boats south facing views over the golf course. 2 bedrooms and constructed over two floors this is effectively a penthouse that offers a great value way into property on the resort.
	Mar Menor Golf Resort – Ground Floor Apartment Only 9 of these large terraced apartments are being built at present and will be ready late 2009. South facing with views over the golf course, the property offers 2 bedrooms and a great internal design.